274 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



meetings for many years, although it has now been long extinct. 

 In connection with the report of this society for 1889, a report 

 of the Amber Cane Association was published and will be found 

 interesting reading to any who care for this subject. The 

 United States Department of Agriculture recognized the valu- 

 able service which Mr. Kenney rendered to the country in this 

 connection, and it was a source of pride to Mr. Kenney in his later 

 years that his efforts in this industry had been given such promi- 

 nence by the Department. 



The last twenty years of Mr. Kenney's life he took a larger 

 and increasing interest in fruit growing, and the recorded re- 

 sults of his original work appear from time to time in the 

 publications of the society. Recognizing the special value of his 

 service in this direction, he was appointed superintendent of a 

 society trial station, his first report as such appearing in the 

 records of the society in 1909. Thereafter annually, and usually 

 semi-annually, his records of valuable experiments were published 

 regularly in our monthly. His contributions to the experience 

 of our members in topworking were of a special value. 



In recognition of the value of Mr. Kenney's services in the 

 fields above referred to, the Minnesota State University in Janu- 

 ary last awarded a "certificate of award for special meritorious 

 services in the advancement of agriculture." This certificate 

 would have been given to Mr. Kenney in person at Farm Week, 

 University Farm, but on account of the shock which he had then 

 already experienced, he was unable to be present. His life and 

 work, however, were referred to from the platform and the cer- 

 tificate awarded sent to him at his home. His host of friends 

 rejoiced that this well earned commendation should come to him 

 when he was still in possession of his faculties and able to appre- 

 ciate it. 



Mr. Kenney's name appears as an annual member of the 

 society on our roll in 1877, although it is probable that he was a 

 member before that date, as he attended the meetings and took 

 part in the program as early as 1873. In 1899 in recognition of 

 Mr. Kenney's valuable services to the society he was unanimously 

 made an honorary life member. Few members have contributed 

 more to the welfare of the society than Mr. Kenney, and it is safe 

 to say that no member surpassed him in loyalty to this associa- 

 tion. For many years and until the last year or two, when his 

 bodily infirmities kept him away, he was a regular attendant and 

 participant at our annual gatherings. It was only until January 



